Cascadia Weekly

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Summer Meltdown

As always happens this time of year, thousands of people from Bellingham and beyond are anticipating, making plans and otherwise getting excited and gearing up for our local summer festival season.

Yes, the fact that we have more than one homegrown festival from which to choose is enough for me to characterize it as a “festival season,” never mind that “multiple festivals” is code for “two events that happen during the same weekend.”

This Week

The Gristle

Deflating Expectations

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

DEFLATING EXPECTATIONS: What a difference an economic downturn makes!

Bellingham City Council this week listened to extensive public comments but took no immediate action on estimating growth in the city’s population and employment over the next 20-year planning horizon. Staff presented four potential scenarios for City Council to debate, settle upon and forward to Whatcom County planners later this year.

Under the state’s Growth Management Act, counties and their cities are required to

An Oasis of Quiet

Greenways levies fund Northridge Park

I walked into Northridge Park on a May morning when the sun was just starting to break through the night’s cloud cover, crossing the walkway from Magrath Road into the park.

The park is a mixed forest with an unusually large number of deciduous trees for northwest Washington, probably because this land was first clearcut and then likely harvested again. There may be some second growth, but most of the forest is probably mature third growth, with tall birch, alder, cottonwoods, bitter cherry

Instant Gratification

Acting on impulse in America

What happens to society when instant gratification, once scorned as a sign of personal weakness, becomes the driving force in our political and economic life?

Paul Roberts, a journalist and author whose previous works include The End of Oil and The End of Food, has penned a call for self-examination of how our quest for the largest, quickest, most efficient rewards have long-term costs, both personally and globally.

In The Impulse Society: America in the Age of Instant Gratification, Roberts

Block Party

Taking it to the streets

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Although I’m an early riser, I am not the type of human who wakes up at the break of dawn in order to get my caboose to a mountain trail and spend the day hiking ever-upward to immerse my being in an alpine wonderland.

These days, my outdoor explorations tend to be more of the urban variety, as I’m of the opinion that watching humans in the throes of having a good time can be just as interesting as happening upon mating marmots in the wild.

Park It

Join the circus, one more time

It was early June when Karl Meyer first contacted me about the possibility of including the Community Food Co-op’s annual Community Party in one of the Weekly’s upcoming issues.

As Community Outreach Coordinator for the longtime grocery store with a hyper-local focus, Meyer knows it’s best to contact media outlets early, give them a few reasons to cover the event, and follow up to ensure everybody’s got what they need.

Meyer did all that, and more. This year, a focal point of his missives

Electric Beet Juice Co.

From Farm to Glass

By Roseanne Laan · Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Grabbing a handful of fresh clover sprouts, shredded carrots, basil, chives and tofu, Heidi Ormbrek stretches rice paper around the raw ingredients. The spring roll looks like it’s ready to burst. She carefully lays the colorful, opaque roll on a plate next to a bowl of sunflower butter sauce.

Ormbrek, 32, works at the Electric Beet Juice Company in the Bellingham Public Market. She is preparing to make a rice paper-wrapped spring roll. She dunks the wrapper in warm water and lays it down on a

Mission: Impossible

Rogue Nation

Reviewed by Amy Nicholson · Wednesday, July 29, 2015

At 53 years old, Tom Cruise is past the retirement age of every James Bond except Roger Moore. Yet his 19-year-old Mission: Impossible series ticks on, counting down the seconds till its next explosion—and Cruise’s Ethan Hunt is determined to unman his cross-Atlantic competition. Forget high-tech gadgets. The older Cruise gets, the more he relies on his fists. (And his abs, and his nerves—he’ll never let you forget he does his own stunts, and why should he?) His body is the wonder-gizmo, and

The Threshold Project

A global journey through glass

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Can art save the world?

According to glassblower Christopher Morrison, it sure can’t hurt it.

That’s one reason “The Threshold Project,” Morrison’s exhibit opening Aug. 6 at Western Washington University’s Western Gallery, isn’t just about how the handblown glass sculptures that will be on display catch the light, or what they might look like being displayed in an admiring patron’s living room.

“The purpose of this art is to compel viewers into action, resulting in a movement toward

Infinitely Polar Bear

A slightly skewed family portrait

Reviewed by Steven Rea · Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Deeply personal and filled with love, Maya Forbes’ Infinitely Polar Bear is nonetheless a hard movie to watch—hard to watch comfortably. Based on her experiences growing up with a father who was in and out of institutions, diagnosed with manic depression, Forbes’ film throws a memoir-ish lasso around late-1970s Cambridge, Mass., where a family with a wildly careening dad, a mom trying to pursue a career, and two girls caught in the throes go about their lives.

Summer Meltdown

Where the music meets the mountains

As always happens this time of year, thousands of people from Bellingham and beyond are anticipating, making plans and otherwise getting excited and gearing up for our local summer festival season.

Yes, the fact that we have more than one homegrown festival from which to choose is enough for me to characterize it as a “festival season,” never mind that “multiple festivals” is code for “two events that happen during the same weekend.”

Best of Bellingham

What's the best neighborhood? The one you live in, judging from this fiercely competitive category. With more than 2,400 entries in the Cascadia Weekly readers choice awards, every neighborhood was named again and again. But with so many terrific places--Trader Joe's, Hardware Sales, Kulshan Brewing Company, Jeckyl & Hyde, Homeskillet, on and on--Sunnyland comes out on top.

Today

Movement Graffiti: New dance works by choreographers Nolan Hoppe-Leonard, Tara Reiter, Eli Madsen, Cassandra Howlet, and Artistic Director Nolan Dennett can be seen at "Movement Graffiti: Dance Theater" performances at 7:30pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday, at Western Washington University's Viking Union Multipurpose Room. Entry to see the impressionistic works is $6-$10. more »

Three Times a Bridesmaid: The world premiere or Three Times a Bridesmaid continues this weekend with shows at 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday at the Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave. The original play by ACT's Willow McLaughlin focuses on the dilemma of an engaged woman as she recounts the many trials, tribulations and farcical tragedies in weddings she has participated in. Tickets are $18 and additional showings happen through Aug. 15. more »

Marrowstone Music Festival: Orchestral and chamber music rehearsals, master classes, and professional performances for the public will be part of the 72nd annual Marrowstone Music Festival taking place from July 26-Aug. 9 at Western Washington University. Students ages 14-25 come from more than 30 states and several countries to study with internationally acclaimed faculty. Public concerts take place July 30 and Aug. 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9. Prices vary. more »

MBT Summer Rep: Joe Dipietro's The Last Romance, Neil Simon's Jakes's Women, and Jon Robin Baitz's Other Desert Cities, continue this week at showings at 7:30pm Wednesday through Saturday, 3pm Sunday, and 7:30pm Tuesday as part of the MBT Summer Rep at the Mount Baker Theatre's Walton Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. Tickets are $25. The plays show in repertory through Aug. 9. more »

Bard on the Beach: Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors plays in repertory with King Lear, Love's Labour's Lost, and Shakespeare's Rebel at the 26th annual "Bard on the Beach" through September at Vancouver BC's Vanier Park, 1695 Whyte Ave. Tickets are $26-$45. Early booking is recommended for best seat selection; many performances sell out in advance. more »

Boating Center Open: The Community Boating Center is open from 12pm to sunset on weekdays, and 10am to sunset on weekends through the summer at their headquarters at 555 Harris Ave. Rentals include kayaks, sailboats, rowboats and paddle boards. Registration for youth camps and adult classes are currently available online. more »

Studio Swap Meet: Allied Arts of Whatcom County will host a "Studio Sweep" from 9am-4pm Friday through Sunday at the old location of Dakota Arts, 1415 Cornwall Ave. The swap meet is open to all and gives artists an opportunity to clean out their excess paint brushes, canvas, pottery supplies, easels, drawing materials, textiles, beads, tools, studio seconds, prints, fine art pieces, musical instruments, costumes, etc. Entry to pay for booth spaces is $35 after July 29 ($20-$30 before then). more »

Plover Ferry: The Plover ferry runs through the summer from 12-8pm Friday and Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday departing on the hour from the Blaine Visitor's Dock, Gate II at Blaine Harbor. Suggested donation for the excursions is $1 for kids and $5 for adults. more »

Drayton Harbor Days: Ferry rides, model boat displays, activities for kids, a "Run to the Border," a raft race, a pirate costume contest, food-related events, steam boat displays, arts and crafts, a farmers market, a pet contest, and more will be part of "Drayton Harbor Days" taking place Saturday and Sunday at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center (235 Marine Dr.) and beyond. Entry is free. more »

Amuze Cabaret Auditions: High-quality performers in various genres are encouraged to attend auditions for an upcoming "Amuze Cabaret" at 3pm Saturday and 6:30pm Sunday at the Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce St. The interactive dinner theater and variety show takes place starting Sept. 11. more »

Rollback Weekend: The inaugural "Rollback Weekend" takes place from 10am-7pm Saturday and Sunday along Birch Bay Drive. A classic car show, live music, vendors, food and more will be part of the weekend's festivities. The event is a throwback to the old day in Birch Bay, when cruising the drive was the thing to do. Entry is free (it's $10 to register your car). more »

Point Roberts Arts & Music Fest: A marketplace featuring local handmade arts and crafts, diverse musical and dance performances, a kid's zone, food, a silent auction and raffle and much more will be part of the 20th annual "Point Roberts Arts & Music Festival: Blast from the Past" from 10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday in Point Roberts at Lighthouse Marine Park, 811 Marine Dr. Entry is free. more »

Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival: The Coupeville Arts & Craft Festival takes place from 10am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday in Coupeville on Whidbey Island. The juried show features both regional artists and those from around the country. In addition to the art, there'll be live music, activities for kids, wine and beer gardens, and more. Entry is free. more »

FAIRHAVEN RIDE: Meet up with folks from Fairhaven Bike & Ski for a weekly race-pace ride at 8am at the Fairhaven Village Green. more »

Rabbit Ride: Join members of the Mount Baker Bicycle Club for a "Rabbit Ride" starting at 8am every Sunday at Fairhaven Bike, 1108 11th St. The 32-mile route takes riders down Chuckanut and back via Lake Samish. The group also holds weekly rides Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. more »

Scott Paul Trail Hike: Join members of the Mount Baker Club for an eight-mile hike on Scott Paul Trail today. Meet at 8am at Sunnyland Elementary to carpool, or at 8:30am at the Sedro-Woolley Food Pavilion. more »

Rabbit Ride: Join members of the Mt. Baker Bike Club for the weekly “Rabbit Ride” starting at 8:30am at Fairhaven Bike & Ski, 1108 11th St. The 32-mile route sees riders heading down Chuckanut and back via Lake Samish. more »

Bellingham Youth Triathlon: Kids can swim, bike and run at the Bellingham Youth Triathlon starting at 9am at the Civic Field Complex, 1355 Civic Field Way. Entry is $20-$25; there will be three age divisions. more »

Community Food Co-op’s Community Party: The Community Food Co-op hosts its 18th annual Community Party from 12-5pm at Maritime Heritage Park, 500 W. Holly St. The day will be chock-full of fun with top-notch, family-friendly entertainment, live music, a parade, creative activities, and delicious local food. Entry is free. Vegetarian burritos, Acme Ice Cream, and organic goods from Electric Beet Juice Co. will be available for purchase. more »

International Concert Series: Listen to the music of the Ecuadorean Andes mountains when Quichua Mashis performs as part of an annual International Concert Series at 2pm at Blaine's Peace Arch Park. The free series continues every Sunday through Aug. 23. more »

Swing Connection: The Bellingham-based big band known as Swing Connection performs a mix of contemporary swing arrangements and classics from the Golden Era of swing from 2-4pm at the Fairhaven Village Green, 1207 10th St. Dance along, or just sit and listen. Entry is by donation. more »

Woodstock Farm Concert: Rivertalk will perform at a concert taking place today at Chuckanut Drive's Woodstock Farm (bicycle or walk in from the North Chuckanut Trailhead; shuttles will also run continuously from Fairhaven Middle School). There'll be games, food, tours and display from 2:30-5:30pm, and the band will play from 3-5pm. Entry is free. more »

Ben Thomas Trio: Tango will take center stage when Seattle's Ben Thomas Trio performs at a tango concert and dance starting at 5:30pm at the Majestic, 1027 N. Forest St. Tickets are $17 and include an introductory tango lesson, appetizers, beverages and more. more »